“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”
(John 12:13)
No one would ever expect that a baby born to a peasant Jewish woman in a smelly barn on a cold night could ever be the king of anything. This lowly beginning is not consistent with the birth of someone who would one day be king of all kings. And yet the power and position of such a one named Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph in the town of Bethlehem one winter night, were predetermined by God and, therefore, never in jeopardy.
God Himself announced many times through multiple prophets that this king was coming:
- “A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel… One from Jacob shall have dominion” (Num. 24:17, 19).
- “One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2).
- “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore” (Isa. 9:6-7).
- “For out of you, Bethlehem Judah, shall come forth a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel” (Matt. 2:6).
And then at His birth, an angel of God appeared to some nearby shepherds, specifically to confirm that this baby born in Bethlehem was both Savior and King: “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
This same baby was publicly worshiped by wise men who came from the East as one born “King of the Jews.” The gifts they presented to Him of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matt. 2:2, 11) indicated His kingship as well. The gold signified His status as “King of the Jews,” frankincense represented His divinity and identity as the Son of God, and myrrh referenced His mortality.
During His public ministry, Christ spoke frequently about His kingdom, and toward the end of His earthly life, He entered Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zech. 9:9). Those in attendance at His triumphal entry into the city joined in praise, “Hosanna, blessed is the King of Israel, that cometh in the name of the Lord!”
Finally, when He was on trial before His prosecutors and Pilate asked Him this question, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Christ affirmed that He was, indeed.
Thomas Ridgely comments, “Christ still executes His Kingly office in that glorified state in which He now is. This the apostle intimates, when he speaks of Him as ascending up on high, having led captivity captive, and then giving gifts to men (Eph. 4:8). In this exalted state there are undeniable proofs of His regal dignity in the blessings which His church receives, as well as in the adorations that are paid to Him by the inhabitants of heaven.”[1]
Never forget that Christ did not begin His reign as King at the moment of His birth, or even when He ascended to heaven after His resurrection. For He has always been—and will ever be—King (Dan. 7:13–14, 1 Tim. 6:13–15, Rev. 17:14). And every individual that has ever drawn a breath will one day bow down and worship Him as King of kings and Lord of lords (Phil. 2:10–11).
Contemplation:
- Public Praise. As the people laid palm branches in Your path on Your entry into Jerusalem, they cried out, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel, that comes in the name of the Lord.” They praised You publicly. When they saw how You healed the blind and the lame, they cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt. 21:15). Show me how I might also praise and adore You as King of my life outwardly, and not just in my private devotions.
- Expectation of His Return. Warm my heart to remember all Your work, Lord, that by faith I can look forward to what You have promised to do for Your people in the future. Help me often consider the coming of my King, anticipating the day when every eye shall see You return in power and glory.
- Surrender to My King. You, Lord Christ, are my King. I surrender my mind and heart to You now and ask that You help me do this day by day, moment by moment, by Your Spirit. Help me open up my soul humbly and penitently to Your atoning work. I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and I have found that in so doing my heart has already been arrested by the power of Christ my King.
- Supremacy of Christ. Jesus, You have the highest honor as “the head of the corner” (Ps. 118:22), “the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20), and the fountain of all glory. Help me express that more faithfully in my walk before You and in my devotion to You.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, I lift up my heart in thanksgiving to You, the exalted King of kings and Lord of lords. You have reigned from eternity past, and You will reign forever. From a humble manger You rose, and to a throne above all thrones You have ascended. Thank You for the mercy evidenced by Your first coming, for taking on flesh and dwelling among us. Thank You that You came not to be served, but to serve and to give Your life as a ransom for many. You are a King unlike any other—gentle and lowly yet possessing all authority in heaven and earth.
Your throne is established in righteousness. Your kingdom is one of grace, truth, peace, and power. I thank You for subduing my rebel heart, for drawing me by Your Spirit, and for making me a citizen of Your everlasting kingdom. Thank You that Your laws are not burdensome, Your yoke is easy, and Your lordship brings life because You are a Shepherd-King who lays down His life for the sheep.
Thank You, Lord, that Your kingship is eternal. You reign even now. You govern all things for the good of Your church. You are interceding for us at the right hand of the Father, ruling by Your Word and Spirit. You are sending forth messengers to declare Your royal pardon to sinners. And You will come again, in glory, to judge the living and the dead and bring forth Your kingdom in full.
Thank You for being a King whose dominion has no end. Though nations rise and fall and rulers are soon forgotten, You endure. Though kings wear crowns of gold, You wore a crown of thorns for me. Thank You for loving Your people unto death, and for rising to declare that You have all power. I adore You and give You thanks, my Lord and my God.
Help me not simply call You King but live in glad obedience to Your rule. Let my heart overflow with gratitude for all You have done and all You have promised. I thank You, Jesus, that I belong to You—my Savior, my Master, my everlasting King.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for John 12:13:
Ps. 118:25–26; John 1:49; Lev. 23:40; Hosea 3:5; Mark 11:8.
[1] Thomas Ridgley, A Body of Divinity, vol. 1 (New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1855), 558.
